Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards
The first annual Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards were presented as a part of the 2010 Alaska Marine Gala. These awards are established as annual awards to encourage and give recognition to outstanding achievements related to ocean sciences, education and management.

Please check back soon and nominate your choices for the 2011 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards

Walter J. & Ermalee Hickel's
Lifetime Achievement Award

Awarded to an individual or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 25 years or more. This year the committee decided to recognize two different individuals.

Winners:
Dr. Vera Alexander, Professor Emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and first woman to earn a Ph.D. at UAF. The committee cited Dr. Alexander’s exceptional contributions to marine research.

Senator Ted Stevens earned a Lifetime Achievement Award, based in part on his role in authoring the Magnuson-Stevens Act that governs marine fisheries management and helps ensure sustainable resource development.  

This award is being sponsored by Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel. 

Ocean Literacy Award

Awarded to an individual, team or institution that has made a breakthrough in promoting ocean literacy in Alaska among a segment of the general population via formal or informal education, outreach or other communications.

Winner:
The Kenai Fjords Tours Marine Science Explorer Program
As part of CIRI Alaska Tourism, Kenai Fjords Tours has provided unique vessel-based programs for over 36,000 students and teachers since 1995. 

This award is being sponsored by Alaska COSEE.

Ocean Media Award

Awarded to a journalist, writer, film maker or organization that produced an outstanding film, book, article, radio or television report that was shared with the public and which made a significant contribution to raising awareness of Alaska’s oceans.

Winner:
Elizabeth Arnold
Elizabeth is the producer of “Encounters: Radio Experiences in the North.”

This award is being sponsored by the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.

Marine Research Award

Awarded to a scientist, team of scientists or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution to any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans.

Winner:
Dr. Gordon Kruse
From UAF Dr. Kruse recieved this award for his work on mathematical models and fisheries data analysis that has shaped harvest management policies.

This award is being sponsored by the Alaska SeaLife Center.

Stewardship and Sustainability Award

Awarded to an industry initiative that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. 

Winner:
The Marine Conservation Alliance (MCA)
The MCA is a coalition of seafood processors, harvesters, communities, CDQ groups, and support services that has been instrumental in protecting marine ecosystems through sound science and open public processes.

Trophy sponsored by Jason Brune.